Italian City-States -Because Italy failed to become united during the Dark Ages, many independent city-states emerged in Italy.
-Each city-state was controlled by a powerful family and dominated by a wealthy merchant class. Their interest in art and emphasis on personal achievement helped to shape the Italian Renaissance.
-Example: The Medici family of Florence ranked among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe; they ruled Florence for over 70 years.
How did the Crusades contribute to the Renaissance?
Bubonic Plague
After five years 25 million people were dead--one-third of Europe's population.
Even when the worst was over, smaller outbreaks continued, not just for years, but for centuries.
Boccaccio wrote of the plague in his Decameron
Factors
-Trade and commerce increased
-Cities grew larger and wealthier
-Newly wealthy merchants and bankers supported the growth of the arts and learning
-The Renaissance was an age of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century, such as the plague, political instability, and a decline of Church power
-Recovery went hand-in-hand with a rebirth of interest in ancient culture (e.g., ancient Greece and Rome)
A new view of human beings emerged as people in the Italian Renaissance began to emphasize individual ability
Art and Patronage
-Italians patrons (financial supporters) were willing to spend a lot of money on art
-Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values and therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status.
Notes: Renaissance
Major Italian City-States
Italian City-States
-Because Italy failed to become united during the Dark Ages, many independent city-states emerged in Italy.
-Each city-state was controlled by a powerful family and dominated by a wealthy merchant class. Their interest in art and emphasis on personal achievement helped to shape the Italian Renaissance.
-Example: The Medici family of Florence ranked among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe; they ruled Florence for over 70 years.
How did the Crusades contribute to the Renaissance?
Bubonic Plague
After five years 25 million people were dead--one-third of Europe's population.
Even when the worst was over, smaller outbreaks continued, not just for years, but for centuries.
Boccaccio wrote of the plague in his Decameron
Factors
-Trade and commerce increased
-Cities grew larger and wealthier
-Newly wealthy merchants and bankers supported the growth of the arts and learning
-The Renaissance was an age of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century, such as the plague, political instability, and a decline of Church power
-Recovery went hand-in-hand with a rebirth of interest in ancient culture (e.g., ancient Greece and Rome)
A new view of human beings emerged as people in the Italian Renaissance began to emphasize individual ability
Art and Patronage
-Italians patrons (financial supporters) were willing to spend a lot of money on art
-Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values and therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status.
Notes: Renaissance